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Learning to Play the Piano with Online Tuition

calendar_todayAugust 21, 2023
Learning to Play the Piano with Online Tuition

Are you looking to learn piano but not sure where to start? The fact is, online piano tuition has revolutionised how people master this captivating instrument. Our blog sheds light on top online platforms, tips for enhancing your learning journey, and factors to consider when choosing your lessons.

Ready to hit the right chords in your musical journey? Let’s dive in!

Why Consider Learning Piano Online?

If you’re looking to start learning how to play the piano, chances are the first thing you did was have a look at the teachers available in your area, and for students who live in more remote areas, this search may have wielded unfruitful results, but fear not! Learning piano online offers flexibility and convenience, allowing you to connect with piano teachers from all over the world.

Furthermore, it’s a cost-effective alternative to traditional lessons, and the convenience means that it’s easy to access a variety of teaching methods and styles.

Flexibility and convenience

Learning piano online opens a world of flexibility and convenience. No longer confined by geographic location or traditional lesson times, students have the freedom to learn at any time that suits their schedule.

This ease-of-access is compounded with the ability to take lessons from home, eliminating travel time to and from a music studio. With online tuition platforms accessible through different devices including Mac, PC, iOS, and Android, learners can practice wherever they have an internet connection.

The flexible nature of these lessons also leads to less stress about missing sessions due to unforeseen circumstances or scheduling conflicts.

Cost comparison with traditional lessons

Learning to play the piano online is a cost-effective alternative compared to traditional face-to-face lessons.

Online Piano LessonsTraditional Piano Lessons
CostMonthly subscription costs for online piano lessons range from £4.99 to £25.99 a month with platforms like Yousician leading the way, or from £15 an hour for online lessonsTraditional piano lessons typically cost from £30 to £60 per hour. This can add up quickly if you need several lessons a week.
Additional ExpensesOnline lessons usually do not involve any additional costs. Some platforms may offer optional add-ons or upgraded subscriptions, but these are not mandatory.Traditional lessons often involve additional costs for travel, purchasing sheet music, or attending recitals. There may also be late or cancellation fees.
Value for MoneyOnline piano lesson sites Often offer free trial periods or introductory content, which gives users the chance to try out the system and see if it suits their learning style.Face-to-face lessons do not usually provide trial periods. It is more challenging to switch instructors if the teaching style does not meet the learner’s needs.

Access to a variety of teaching methods and styles

Online piano lessons provide a tremendous range of tutors, giving you access to all sorts of different teaching methods and styles. This versatility caters to different learning preferences and offers flexibility that’s hard to find in traditional settings, as they’e often limited by geolocation. 

You can interact with platforms like Playground Sessions or Pianote, which offer engaging lessons for beginners up to intermediate players. Or dive into the unique offerings from ArtistWorks Piano with Christie Peery, where you receive personalised video feedback from a world-class pianist.

Some platforms even focus on specific areas like chord shapes and improvisation (Pianoforall), or tailor their courses primarily for adults (Piano With Willie). The expansive online piano tuition realm ensures every learner finds a style and method that aligns seamlessly with their objectives.

Top Online Piano Tuition Platforms

The top online piano tuition platforms include Playground Sessions, Pianote, and LessonWise.

Playground Sessions

Playground Sessions is an online piano tuition platform that offers a structured and interactive learning experience. Co-created by Quincy Jones, this app features video lessons presented in a video-game style with visual feedback.

With tutors like Harry Connick Jr., Playground Sessions caters to beginners and intermediate players, providing them with a comprehensive pathway to learn the piano. Users can also receive instant feedback on their performance, allowing them to track their progress and make improvements along the way.

Pianote

Pianote is an online video-based piano learning platform that caters to learners of all skill levels. With a comprehensive curriculum, Pianote offers engaging lessons that cover popular songs, music theory, and provide additional resources for further practice.

The structured lesson and practice plans make it easy for students to follow along and progress at their own pace. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced player, Pianote provides the tools and guidance needed to develop your piano skills effectively.

LessonWise

LessonWise is an innovative online platform dedicated to scaling the access to affordable private education worldwide through interactive group lessons. The platform boasts a state-of-the-art virtual classroom where students can engage in live lessons, annotate, generate graphs, and even play music on a digital keyboard. Catering to a diverse range of subjects, LessonWise ensures that the quality of teaching remains uncompromised, regardless of the class size. 

Furthermore, students benefit from video recordings of every lesson, allowing them to revisit and consolidate their learning. Whether you’re diving into a new topic or seeking academic support, LessonWise connects learners with experienced tutors to meet every educational need.

Explore the courses available at LessonWise: https://lessonwise.org/courses 

Benefits of Online Piano Lessons

Offers a wide range of songs to practice

Online piano lessons provide students with a wide range of songs to practice, allowing them to explore different genres and styles of music. This variety helps keep students engaged and motivated in their learning journey as they can choose songs that resonate with their personal preferences.

Learning to play a diverse repertoire also helps students develop important musical skills such as finger coordination, rhythm, and musical interpretation. With access to an extensive song library, online piano lessons offer a fun and interactive way for students to improve their playing abilities.

Provides instant feedback and progress tracking

Online piano lesson platforms such as Playground Sessions, Pianote, Simply Piano, Flowkey and Skoove offer a valuable feature that provides instant feedback and progress tracking to learners.

This means that as students practice their skills on the keyboard or piano, they receive immediate feedback on their performance. They can see if they are playing the correct notes and rhythms accurately.

This real-time feedback helps learners to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments accordingly. In addition to instant feedback, these platforms also track the progress of each student over time.

How to Get the Most Out of Online Piano Lessons

Make the most of your online piano lessons by setting a regular practice schedule, utilizing interactive features, and seeking additional resources for difficult concepts. Ready to dive into the world of virtual learning? Read on to discover how you can enhance your piano skills with online tuition.

Setting a regular practice schedule

Setting a regular practice schedule is crucial for maximizing the benefits of online piano lessons. By establishing a consistent routine, learners can develop good habits and improve their skills more effectively.

Regular practice allows for better retention of information, as it helps reinforce muscle memory and strengthens cognitive connections. Moreover, it promotes discipline and dedication, enabling students to progress at their own pace.

With a set schedule in place, learners can allocate specific time slots throughout the week to focus on practicing piano techniques, playing songs, and refining their musical abilities.

Utilising the interactive features of the platform

Playground Sessions, Simply Piano, LessonWise and Skoove are online piano tuition platforms that offer interactive features to enhance the learning experience. Playground Sessions provides video-game style lessons with visual feedback, while Pianote offers structured lesson plans and live-streaming video lessons.

Simply Piano has a fun and game-like interface that can be used with MIDI or acoustic pianos. Flowkey is intuitive for beginners and returning pianists, providing a well-designed interface with various content options.

LessonWise features a virtual keyboard as part of their online classroom tools, focusing on empowering visual and kinestetic learners by supplementing oral learning with visual demonstrations, allowing students a richer, hands-on understanding of the piano.

Skoove focuses on simplicity and effectiveness in their beginner and intermediate courses in both pop and classical styles. Utilizing these interactive features can make learning the piano engaging and enjoyable for students at all levels.

Seeking additional resources for difficult concepts

If you encounter difficult concepts while learning the piano online, it can be helpful to seek out additional resources. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available! Many online platforms offer supplementary materials such as tutorial videos, written explanations, and practice exercises to assist with understanding challenging topics.

Additionally, you can explore other music educational websites or YouTube channels that specialize in piano instruction, such as Become a Piano Superhuman. These resources provide alternative approaches and explanations that may resonate with your learning style.

Remember, seeking additional resources is a fantastic way to deepen your understanding and overcome any roadblocks on your musical journey.

How to Choose the Right Online Piano Lessons

Consider your learning goals, style, and budget when selecting online piano lessons. Look at user reviews and ratings to find a platform that offers comprehensive coverage of piano skills, includes popular music genres, and is suitable for different age groups.

Understand your learning goals and style

To get the most out of your online piano lessons, it’s important to understand your learning goals and style. Are you a beginner looking to learn the basics? Or perhaps you’re an intermediate player wanting to improve specific techniques? Knowing what you want to achieve will help you choose the right online piano lesson platform that suits your needs.

Additionally, consider your learning style – do you prefer structured lessons with clear progressions or a more flexible approach where you can pick and choose what to focus on? By understanding your goals and style, you’ll be able to find online piano lessons that align with your preferences and ensure an enjoyable learning journey.

Consider the cost and value for money

Online piano lessons offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional face-to-face lessons. With monthly subscription costs ranging from $15 to $50, online lessons are significantly cheaper than hiring a private tutor.

Moreover, many online platforms provide free trial periods or introductory content for users to test out the system before committing. This allows learners to evaluate the quality of instruction and ensure that they are getting value for their money.

By choosing online piano lessons, students can save both time and money while still gaining access to comprehensive and structured learning materials.

Look at user reviews and ratings

User reviews and ratings are essential when choosing the right online piano lessons. These ratings provide an overall indication of student satisfaction, while user reviews offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each program.

By considering these reviews and ratings, you can easily distinguish between different options for online piano lessons and make an informed decision about which one is best for you.

They also give you a glimpse into the success and progress other students have achieved, helping you gauge if a particular program aligns with your goals and expectations. So don’t forget to take advantage of user feedback when selecting your online piano lesson provider.

Comparing Online and Face-to-Face Piano Lessons

Online and face-to-face piano lessons have their pros and cons, with personal interaction being important for learning, but technology playing an increasingly vital role in modern piano tuition.

Pros and cons of each method

The two main methods of learning piano, online tuition and face-to-face lessons, each have their own pros and cons. Online tuition offers the advantage of flexibility in scheduling.

Students can learn at their own pace and choose when and where they want to practice. Additionally, online lessons are often more affordable than traditional lessons, making them accessible to a wider range of learners.

On the other hand, face-to-face lessons provide personal interaction with a teacher, allowing for immediate feedback and guidance. This personal touch can be valuable for some students who thrive on one-on-one instruction.

The importance of personal interaction in learning

Personal interaction plays a crucial role in learning, particularly when it comes to playing the piano. While online lessons offer convenience, they may lack the same level of personal interaction as face-to-face lessons.

In traditional lessons, students receive immediate feedback and guidance from their teacher, allowing them to develop technique and musical expression more effectively. The teacher can also address individual learning needs and provide personalized guidance that fosters a deeper understanding of musical concepts.

Although online piano lessons incorporate interactive features and feedback mechanisms, combining them with occasional face-to-face lessons or workshops can provide a more comprehensive and effective learning experience.

The role of technology in modern piano tuition

Technology plays a crucial role in modern piano tuition, making it easier and more accessible than ever before. With online platforms and apps, learners can access high-quality video lessons, interactive learning experiences, and personalized feedback from experienced instructors.

These platforms also utilize gamified formats to keep learners motivated and engaged as they progress through the course curriculum. Additionally, some platforms are even capable of providing visual feedback by detecting the keys pressed on a MIDI keyboard.

This integration of technology allows for convenient and flexible learning from the comfort of home, making it an ideal choice for beginners and advanced players alike to enhance their piano skills.

Necessary Equipment and Technology for Online Piano Lessons

To get started with online piano lessons, you’ll need a suitable keyboard or piano, a reliable internet connection, and access to a computer, tablet or smartphone. MIDI controllers are recommended for advanced lessons.

Read on to find out more about the necessary equipment and technology for successful online piano learning.

A suitable keyboard or piano

A suitable keyboard or piano is essential equipment for online piano lessons. Whether you choose a digital piano, an acoustic piano, or a MIDI controller keyboard, having the right instrument is crucial to your learning experience.

Online lesson services are designed to be compatible with different types of pianos, allowing you to connect your instrument and receive visual feedback on your progress. For beginners on a budget, the Alesis Q49 is a popular MIDI controller keyboard option.

On the other hand, if you prefer a compact and portable keyboard with built-in speakers, the Yamaha Piaggero NP12 is an excellent choice that also comes with a free three-month membership to Flowkey Premium for online learning.

Reliable internet connection

A reliable internet connection is essential for a seamless experience during online piano lessons. It allows for smooth video streaming and clear communication with the instructor.

To ensure uninterrupted learning, it is recommended to have a high-speed internet connection with sufficient bandwidth. Having a backup internet connection or using a wired connection can also help maintain reliability in case of any technical issues.

A reliable internet connection ensures that there are no interruptions in the video stream and audio quality, allowing students to fully engage in their online piano lessons.

Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone

To begin learning piano online, all you need is access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone. These devices allow you to easily connect with online piano lessons and platforms from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you have a Mac, PC, iOS, or Android device, you can conveniently access online lessons and resources at any time that suits your schedule. With just the click of a button, you’ll be ready to start your musical journey and explore the world of online piano tuition.

MIDI controller for advanced lessons

MIDI controllers are essential for advanced piano lessons, giving students the ability to connect their instruments to digital devices. These controllers provide visual feedback and progress tracking during online lessons, allowing learners to see their performance in real-time.

With the capability to determine which keys are being pressed on the keyboard, MIDI controllers enable interactive and engaging lessons that adapt to each student’s playing style. They offer a more realistic and versatile playing experience compared to traditional keyboards, making them an excellent tool for those looking to take their piano skills to the next level.

Plus, MIDI controllers are compatible with various online piano lesson platforms and can be used on different devices such as Macs, PCs, iOS devices, and Android devices.

FAQs

Can you effectively learn piano online?

Learning piano online can be an effective way to develop your skills. Platforms like Skoove and Piano Marvel offer comprehensive beginner lessons that cover everything from posture to rhythm.

With hands-on learning experiences, these platforms allow you to start playing right away. They are suitable for all ages, including adults, teens, and even children with parental help.

The flexible learning schedules of Skoove and Piano Marvel also enable personalized learning without strict guidelines. Additionally, Flowkey is highly regarded as one of the best piano apps available, offering a customizable learning experience.

Are online piano lessons suitable for all ages?

Online piano lessons are suitable for learners of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to advance your skills, online platforms offer a variety of lesson options tailored to different age groups.

With the flexibility and convenience of learning from home, online lessons provide an accessible way to embark on your piano journey at any stage of life. Plus, they are cost-effective alternatives to traditional face-to-face lessons.

So no matter your age, you can explore the joy of playing the piano through online tuition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning to play the piano with online tuition offers a flexible and convenient option for aspiring musicians. With a variety of platforms to choose from and features such as progress tracking and instant feedback, online lessons make it easier than ever to embark on your musical journey.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your skills, online piano lessons provide an accessible and affordable way to learn at your own pace. So why wait? Start playing the piano today with the help of online tuition!